Chick-fil-A Aims to Remain a Family-Owned Business Despite Expansion

Chick-fil-A is working to preserve its status as a family-owned business even as the fast-food chain pursues an ambitious expansion strategy both domestically and abroad, according to CNBC.

Under the leadership of CEO Andrew Cathy, the company has been entering new international markets while also broadening its menu offerings in the United States.

Balancing growth and ownership

The company's expansion comes as many long-running family businesses face pressure to bring in outside investors or go public in order to fund growth. Chick-fil-A's leadership has signaled an intention to avoid that path, aiming instead to finance its international and domestic growth while keeping control within the Cathy family.

The chain, long known for its drive-through efficiency and Sunday closures rooted in its founder's religious beliefs, has increasingly looked beyond the U.S. market in recent years as part of its growth strategy.

What's next

Further details on specific international markets targeted or the scale of planned menu additions were not immediately available. The company's approach will likely be watched closely as a test case for how a large family-owned restaurant chain can scale internationally without ceding ownership control.